Mid-sole

ABSTRACT

A mid-sole is provided for footwear in order to reduce shock more effectively while providing stability. The mid-sole includes a cap, a plurality of connection elements and supporting elements, an elastic pad, and a cover. The mid-sole is fabricated in such a way so that it can function as the structure of beams and column, such that the ground reaction force will be transferred to the columns at the time of impact, instead of at the area directly under the foot as in most of the conventional shoes. The connection elements help to transfer force at the first impact of the shoe with the ground, and guide the direction of force along the force line of the shoe. The elastic pad makes the deflection smoother, thus making the shoe more stable, and the feeling of the foot more comfortable, during running.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a footwear and, more particularly, to a footwear mid-sole.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,261, it is intended for shock absorption improvement by the mid-sole for a sneaker, which includes an upper plate 22, a lower plate 24 and four shock absorbers 26 between the upper plate 22 and the lower plate 24. The absorbers 26 of course are used to absorb shock. However, the shock absorbers 26 are not good enough, in that the reduction of shock depends solely on deformation force or energy being absorbed when the mid-sole is subjected to loading of the foot during running, which is small in contrast with the overall ground reaction force. Furthermore, the absorbers in the form of column are tantamount to pressurized spearheads upon impact, which even though insulated from the foot and located at the edges of the mid-sole; the force generated may still hit on points of the sole in a detrimental level that may also cause discomfort. Besides, most serious runners are very mindful of the stability of their shoes, but the column structure tends to be unstable due to complex and unstable inertia force produced upon the first strike or impact of the shoe with the ground and in the subsequent motions, during running.

The present invention, based on the theory that energy will be absorbed in deformation of a material, and that force will be weakened by time delay of a force hitting an object, is intended to enhance shock reduction by the mid-sole while providing the shoe with suitable stability and comfort.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a mid-sole is provided for footwear in order to absorb, spread and transfer shock. The mid-sole includes a cap made of material with predetermined modulus of elasticity and fabricated in one piece or laminated as a piece. The cap also includes a plurality of supporting elements and provided with a plurality of connection elements at the back of the rear section. An elastic pad is placed immediately under the cap, sealed in a cavity with a cover.

The primary advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the columns will deform at the moment of impact, and thus some force will be absorbed. Another advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the cap will function as beam and it will deflect to a controlled displacement when subjected to force of the foot. In this way, force or shock transmitted back to the body through the foot will be reduced. Likewise, the supporting elements will help reduce force by transferring part of the ground reaction force to the columns. Another advantage of the mid-sole according to the present invention is that the connection elements at the rear section will transfer force to the columns at the back part where deformation and energy absorption will take place, at the time of first impact of the shoe with the ground in the motion cycle of running, and also guide the direction of force along the force line of the mid-sole, making the transition of force smoother and thus the shoe more stable during running. Another advantage according to the present invention is that the elastic pad will make the deflection of the cap smoother and that it is protected by being sealed in a cavity by a cover.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sole assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sole assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sole assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sole assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows the sole assembly in a different position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sole assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a sole assembly includes a sole 1 and a mid-sole 2 provided on the sole 1. The sole 1 is longer than the mid-sole 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mid-sole 2 includes a cap 10, an elastic pad 20 put. in the cap 10 and a cover 30 for sealing the elastic pad 20 in the cap 10.

The cap 10 is made of an elastic material with predetermined modulus of elasticity. The cap 10 defines a space 11 that faces down. A plurality of ribs 12 projects from the ceiling of the space 11 near a middle portion of the cap 10. The ribs 12 become like a grid, which is intended for prevention of distortion and provision of stability. A plurality of buffers 13 projects from the ceiling of the space 11 near a rear portion of the cap 10. Referring to FIG. 4, each of the buffers 13 includes two columns 14, a beam 15 extending from one of the columns 14 to the other of the columns 14 and two reinforcement elements 16 each extending from one of the columns 14 to the beam 15. Each of the columns 14 includes an inclined surface 18 from which related one of the reinforcement elements 16 extends. Each of the columns 14 defines a recess 19 for receiving the cover 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, when a force is exerted on the cap 10, the point of reaction of force will occur at the columns 14; and deformation will take place, and force will be absorbed, and then the beams 15 will deflect, which will also reduce force and thus reduce the reaction force or shock transmitting back to the foot. The deflection of the cap 10 is controlled by the predetermined elasticity of the cap, and in the course of the deflection, it will be buffered by the elastic pad 20 placed under it, and a damping effect will take place, making the shoe more stable and comfortable for the wearer.

Moreover, the rearmost one of the buffers 13 includes a plurality of connection elements 17 extending to the wall of the space 11. The connection elements 17 will transfer the reaction of force to the columns at the first impact of the shoe with the ground, where deformation and energy absorption will occur, and the connection elements 17 will deflect and reaction force will be reduced. It will also guide the force along the force line of the mid-sole making the transition of force smoother.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sole assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for including a buffer 13 provided in a front portion of the space 11.

The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of some embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A mid-sole comprising a cap, an elastic pad put in the cap and a cover for sealing the elastic pad in the cap.
 2. The mid-sole according to claim 1 wherein the cap defines a space for housing the elastic pad.
 3. The mid-sole according to claim 2 wherein the space comprises a front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion in which the elastic pad is put.
 4. The mid-sole according to claim 3 wherein the cap comprises a buffer formed in the front portion of the space.
 5. The mid-sole according to claim 4 wherein the buffer comprises two columns formed on the wall of the space and a beam extending from one of the columns to the other of the columns.
 6. The mid-sole according to claim 5 wherein the buffer comprises two reinforcement elements each extending from related one of the columns to the beam.
 7. The mid-sole according to claim 6 wherein each of the columns comprises an inclined surface from which the related reinforcement element extends.
 8. The mid-sole according to claim 3 wherein each of the beams defines a recess for receiving the cover.
 9. The mid-sole according to claim 3 wherein the cap comprises a plurality of ribs formed in the middle portion of the space.
 10. The mid-sole according to claim 8 wherein the ribs form a grid-shaped structure.
 11. The mid-sole according to claim 3 wherein the cap comprises a number of buffers formed in the front portion of the space.
 12. The mid-sole according to claim 11 wherein each of the buffers comprises two columns formed on the wall of the space and a beam extending from one of the columns to the other of the columns.
 13. The mid-sole according to claim 12 wherein each of the buffers comprises two reinforcement elements each extending from related one of the columns to the beam.
 14. The mid-sole according to claim 12 wherein each of the columns comprises an inclined surface from which the related reinforcement element extends.
 15. The mid-sole according to claim 11 wherein each of the columns defines a recess for receiving the cover.
 16. The mid-sole according to claim 11 wherein the cap comprises at least one connection extending a rearmost one of the buffers to the wall of the space. 